Graphite Enterprise Trust
| Public Company | |
| Traded as | GPE: LSE |
| Industry | Private Equity |
| Founded | July 15, 1981 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
Key people | Roderick Lamont Richards (Managing Partner), Tim Spence (Finance Director) |
| Products | Private equity assets |
| Total assets | 498.5m GBP[1] (2015) |
Graphite Enterprise Trust PLC is an investment company listed on the London Stock Exchange. Its objective is to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth through investment in unquoted companies, mainly through specialist funds but also directly.
The company was first listed in 1981 and has invested in private equity since its inception. It has been managed by Graphite Capital, an independent private equity fund manager, ab initio, by a board of six non-executive directors.
There are approximately 400 companies in Graphite Enterprise’s portfolio, most of which have been involved in management buy-outs. About 90% of them are headquartered in Europe, with most of the remainder in North America.
The trust invests in UK mid-market companies through funds managed directly by Graphite Capital. These typically make up 20-25% of the portfolio. Investments in other UK companies and in overseas markets are made through funds managed by third parties. The Company does not invest in funds that focus on start ups or early stage businesses. Direct investments in companies may be made alongside both Graphite Capital and third party funds.
- ↑ "Graphite Enterprise Trust PLC" Invsestors Chronicle. Accessed 1 May 2015